Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device is provided which, when it is properly seated in a door frame further seats the device while avoiding any damage to the wall surfaces and/or door frame. Further, the device requires no fixed installation or hardware which would damage woodwork, wall surfaces, etc. The device includes a pair of support arm assemblies configured to extend through a door frame, a crossbar attached to the support arm assemblies and extending across a front side of the door frame, each support arm assembly including a movable clamp slidable under trigger control on a spar thereof, and a fixed shim on the spar distal end cooperating with the movable clamp to secure the device to the door frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/652,014 to MacColl et al., filed May 25, 2012, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The example embodiment is directed to an exercise device, more particularly to an exercise device configured to be secured to a door frame for doing various exercises thereon.

2. Related Art

Door frame or doorway exercise devices are known in the art. Various types have structure secured to an interior side of the doorway with handles protruding in the doorway or slightly outward from the door frame for exercise therewith. However, these myriad systems often require physical fixed engagement with the door frame, in which fasteners are employed to attach hardware, causing permanent damage thereto.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment is directed to an exercise device which includes a telescoping, elongate hang bar, and a pair of support arm assemblies which extend through a door frame so that the hang bar is supported in both vertical and horizontal planes in front of the door frame. Each support arm assembly includes a boss attached to the hang bar, a main spar, a proximal end thereof being attached to the boss and extending toward the door frame at an angle from the hang bar, a distal end thereof terminating in a shim that includes a first pad on an upper surface thereof, and a clamp face configured to slide up and down the main spar under control of a trigger, the clamp face having a second pad on an underside surface thereof in facing relation to the first pad on the shim, the clamp face under control of the trigger to couple the first and second pads to rear and front parts of the door frame so as to secure the support arm assembly thereto.

Another example embodiment is directed to an exercise device. The device includes a pair of support arm assemblies configured to extend through a door frame, a crossbar attached to the support arm assemblies and extending across a front side of the door frame, each support arm assembly including a movable clamp slidable under trigger control on a spar thereof and a fixed shim on the spar distal end cooperating with the movable clamp to secure the device to the door frame.

Another example embodiment is directed to a method of installing an exercise device in a door frame. The exercise device has a telescoping crossbar coupled to a pair of support arm assemblies configured to extend through a door frame, each support arm assembly including a spar attached to the crossbar with a fixed shim at a distal end of the spar and movable clamp slidable on the spar under control of a trigger. The method includes actuating both triggers to slide both movable clamps up towards the crossbar, inserting one shim between where a connected door meets a rear part of a door frame, placing the other shim against the opposite rear part of the door frame, leveling the device across the doorway while checking vertical alignment, and then releasing both triggers, which automatically ratchet the movable clamps down their corresponding spars toward the shims to bear against front parts of the door frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the example embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a right side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged left side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 5 is an exploded parts illustration to show constituent components thereof.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exercise device to illustrate the telescoping features of the hang bar in more detail.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the hang bar internals to explain operation thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the exercise device 100 includes a telescoping, elongate, main crossbar 150 (hereafter “hang bar 150”) which is supported by a pair of support arm assemblies 200 which are configured to extend through a door frame so that the hang bar 150 is supported in both the vertical and horizontal planes in front of the door frame. As can be seen from the figures, there is no physical fasteners that are required to be screwed into the door frame or wall to secure the exercise device 100 thereto.

The device 100 is designed so that forces exerted thereon are distributed evenly across the support arm assemblies 200, such that further force exertion on the device 100 when it is properly seated in the door frame further seats the device 100 while avoiding any damage to the wall surfaces and/or door frame. Further, the device 100 requires no fixed installation or hardware which would damage woodwork, wall surfaces, etc.

The design of the device 100 takes advantage of specific angular relationships between components of the support assembly 200 and hang bar 150, as well as angular dimensions between seating surfaces on the support arm assembly 200 itself to facilitate proper engagement with and solid seating with a door frame and/or wall surface (in the case where there is an opening in the wall). In addition, the specific angular relationships provide the ability to install the device 100 into a standard door frame. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each support arm assembly 200 includes a main spar 205 connected to the hang bar 150 at one end by a boss 210, and having a shim 215 connected thereto at a distal end thereof. A clamp face 220 is slidable up and down main spar 205 between the boss 210 and shim 215 under control of a trigger 230, the operation of which is described in more detail hereafter.

As shown in FIG. 2, at the front of device 100, hang bar 150 is canted slightly downward an angle α when the device 100 is properly installed in a doorway. This angle is advantageous to properly seating the device and also distributing force moments more evenly across the support arm assemblies 200. The angle α also helps promote friction to the surfaces of fixed pad 216 and clamp face 220 such that device 100 will not fall down when properly engaged. As shown in FIG. 3, the main spar 205 and hence support arm assembly 200 is oriented at an offset angle β from the hang bar 150, greater than 90 degrees. This angle aids in distributing force moments when applied on the hang bar 150 to both support arm assemblies 200 when device 100 is installed and in use. Additionally as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3, the movable pad 222 on the underside of clamp face 220 and the fixed pad 216 on shim 215 are set at offset angles χ as well, greater than 90 degrees from main spar 205, and also offset from one another. This relationship additionally aids in distributing force moments applied on device 100 more evenly as well as facilitating seating the pads 216, 222 on planar surfaces (wall, door frames, etc.), as well as creating a geometry that can be inserted into standard door frames. Distributed forces have less of a potential to damage door frames when under load.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the shim 215 is secured to main spar 205 by a suitable fastener such as a lock nut 217 or manufactured such that shim 215 is integral to main spar 205. The movable pad 222 and fixed pad 216 may be secured to corresponding clamp face 220 and shim 215 by a suitable adhesive for example. Each of pads 216, 222 may be slightly beveled or curved to allow slight rocking against the wall surface or door trim. By providing a slightly beveled mating surface, the edges of the underlying component (shim 215, clamp face 220) do not touch the trim of the door frame or the front of the door frame and cause damage, for example. Moreover, this curvature of the pads 216, 222 eliminates edge or point loads to promote a broader distribution of forces against the doorframe or wall so as to minimize potential damage thereto.

The clamp face 220 and hence movable pad 222 may be actuated against spring pressure and is held by an interference lock created by the trigger 230 (biting on main spar 205) and spring 225 within the aperture of the clamp face 220, similar to a pipe clamp. The spring 225 is positioned on the main spar 205 between the boss 210 (which is attached to hang bar 150 and main spar 205 by set screws 212 and 213) and trigger 230. A trigger spring 235 holds the trigger 230 under tension, held in place by set screw 236.

In general operation, a user pulls the trigger 230 toward the hang bar 150 to release the interference lock between trigger 230 and main spar 205 (overcoming the pressure of spring 225), such that the clamp face 220 with movable pad 222 can slide toward boss 210 or shim 215. Releasing the trigger 230 reengages the interference lock in one direction only such that clamp face 222 cannot move towards boss 210 without once again pulling the trigger 230 to release the interference lock again.

The hang bar 150 is configured so as to be telescoping in nature, i.e., compressible and extendable to accommodate a wide variety or door widths. This is accomplished by means of boss 210 sliding along bar 150, or bar 150 being divided at the middle and compressing along a third coaxial member as an example. This is shown in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exercise device to illustrate the telescoping features of the hang bar in more detail; and FIG. 7 an enlarged view of a portion of the hang bar internals to explain operation thereof. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, hang bar 150 may comprise a central expansion bar 151 compressible or expandable within adjacent coaxial end bar members 153. Each end bar member 153 includes an internal expansion spring 154 between the end cap 152 and the end of the expansion bar 151. Either end of the expansion bar 151 includes a channel 155 in which rides a limit screw 156. The expansion bar 151 may be compressed against spring 154 pressure as it slides within an end bar member 153, limited by travel due to the limit screw 156 within channel 155.

Optionally there may be provided rubber or hard plastic plugs 152 at the ends of hang bar 150. Accordingly, the clamp face 220 may be slidable or adjustable via trigger 230 so as to provide a device 100 that can accommodate door frame widths or depths between about 2.0 to 10 inches. The variable length hang bar 150 is compressible to 14 inches as is designed to accommodate a door frame widths of between 14 to 42 inches wide.

The various components of device 100 may be formed of sheet metal, spring steel, hard plastics such as ABS, and/or aluminum, or combinations thereof by various manufacturing processes, including but not limited to extrusion, die casting, forging, injection molding, machining, and assembly.

The following describes an example installation operation. In this example, the door is on the back side of the door frame, left side. To begin, a user will place their fingers on both triggers, move them toward the hang bar 150 and slide both clamp faces 220 with their attached movable pads 222 on an underside thereof close up to the hang bar 150. Then they may compress the hang bar 150 to its shortest length for ease of manipulation. The user then rotates the right end of device 100 toward themselves so they can insert the left shim 215 between the door and doorframe (left main spar 205 is at an angle and clamp face 220 is out of the way).

Once left shim 215 is positioned in the gap between the connected door and door frame on the left side, with pad 216 bearing against the back of the door frame, they can rotate the device across the doorway, extend the hang bar 150, and position the right shim in place on the back right side of the door frame. They visually check the vertical alignment, then start to release both triggers 230. As this is done, both clamp faces 220 automatically ratchet down the main spars 205 by means of the springs 225 toward the shims 215 to lock device 100 in place on door frame, with movable pads 222 on the clamp faces 220 flush against the front door frame and the fixed pads 216 on shims 215 flush against rear door frame.

The exercise device 100 as installed above may be used in performing various exercises, including, but not limited to: a wide pull-up, a hammer pull-up, a chin up, an ultra-wide grip pull-up, a regular pushup, a wide pushup, a close-hands pushup, a close (reverse) pushup with modification dip, a full sit-up, an oblique sit-up, a straight leg sit-up exercise, and the like. Accordingly, the example embodiments provide an exercise device in which a user can position the device in various orientations between a door frame or on a flat surface so as to perform one or more of a pull-up, chin-up, dip, inverted or reverse pushup, sit-up, etc.

The example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the following claims herein. 

We claim:
 1. An exercise device comprising: a telescoping, elongate hang bar, and a pair of support arm assemblies which extend through a door frame so that the hang bar is supported in both vertical and horizontal planes in front of the door frame, each support arm assembly including: a boss attached to the hang bar, a main spar, a proximal end thereof being attached to the boss and extending toward the door frame at an angle from the hang bar, a distal end thereof terminating in a shim that includes a first pad on an upper surface thereof, a clamp face configured to slide up and down the main spar under control of a trigger, the clamp face having a second pad on an underside surface thereof in facing relation to the first pad on the shim, the clamp face under control of the trigger to couple the first and second pads to rear and front parts of the door frame so as to secure the support arm assembly thereto.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hang bar is canted at an angle downward from horizontal when the device is fully installed on the door frame.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein a surface of the first and second pads are offset an angle greater than 90 degrees from the main spar.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the main spar is offset an angle greater than 90 degrees from the hang bar.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second pads each having a beveled surface configured to mate with part of the door frame.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the telescoping hang bar includes: a central expansion bar compressible or expandable between adjacent coaxial end bar members, each end bar member including an internal expansion spring between an end cap and a respective end of the central expansion bar, and each end of the central expansion bar including a channel in which rides a limit screw, the central expansion bar compressed against spring pressure as it slides within an end bar member, limited by travel due to the limit screw within its channel.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein each support arm assembly is configured to clamp to a door frame having a width between 2 to 10 inches.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the hang bar is configured to accommodate doorway widths between 14 to 42 inches.
 9. An exercise device, comprising: a pair of support arm assemblies configured to extend through a door frame, a crossbar attached to the support arm assemblies and extending across a front side of the door frame, each support arm assembly including: a movable clamp slidable under trigger control on a spar thereof, and a fixed shim on a distal end of the spar cooperating with the movable clamp to secure the device to the door frame.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein actuation of the trigger overcomes an interlock enabling the movable clamp to move up the spar toward the crossbar, with release of the trigger automatically ratcheting the movable clamp down the spar toward the fixed shim to secure the movable clamp against a front part of the door frame and the fixed shim against a rear part of the door frame.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein each of the movable clamp and fixed shim include a pad thereon in facing relation thereto that include a beveled top surface configured to mate with part of the door frame.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein a top surface of each pad is offset an angle greater than 90 degrees from the spar, and the spar is offset an angle greater than 90 degrees from the crossbar.
 13. A method of installing an exercise device in a door frame, the exercise device having a telescoping crossbar coupled to a pair of support arm assemblies configured to extend through a door frame, each support arm assembly including a spar attached to the crossbar with a fixed shim at a distal end of the spar and movable clamp slidable on the spar under control of a trigger, the method comprising: actuating both triggers to slide both movable clamps up towards the crossbar, inserting one shim between where a connected door meets a rear part of a door frame, placing the other shim against the opposite rear part of the door frame, leveling the device across the doorway while checking vertical alignment, releasing both triggers, which automatically ratchet the movable clamps down their corresponding spars toward the shims to bear against front parts of the door frame. 